Our Picks for the Week of 5/8-5/14

It's the second, and last, weekend of Riverfest, so get out there and dig into the array of events still left on the tray. We suggest slapping on your volunteer hat and helping out with the Deschutes River Clean-Up on Saturday morning. Meet at the Les Schwab Amphitheater at 9am for a free breakfast, then go clean that river!

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Flowmotion, Brent Alan and His Funky Friends

thursday 8

OK, so we gave this a pick last week, but we thought we'd give it yet another spot on the page this week because, well Flowmotion is just that friggin' good. The Seattle multi-genre rockers are on their way down to the Joshua Tree Music Festival, and are stopping off at the OSC to give Bend a taste (and a dance party) before coming back for 4 Peaks in July. 21 and over. 7pm. $12, $8/advance. Old Stone Church, 157 Franklin Ave.

The Empty Space Orchestra,
Mr. Potato

friday 9

We're just getting to know TESO, but we like what we've heard and seen so far. We'll tell ya more about 'em in the Local Music Issue in two weeks, but for now judge for yourself as you sip on a cup of chai. 8pm. Townshend's Tea House, 835 NW Bond St.

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Central Oregon Hotshots

friday 9 & saturday 10

While the NBA playoffs are indeed heating up, we have our own version of pro basketball in town in the form of the Central Oregon Hotshots. The high-flying, high-scoring, high-dunk-frequency team takes on the Eugene Chargers on Friday and the Portland Chinooks on Saturday for this two-night homestand. Both games at 7:15pm. $10/adults, $8/youth and seniors. Mountain View High School, 2755 NE 27th St.

Urinetown the Musical

friday-sunday, 9-11

This is the closing weekend of this highly acclaimed musical (check out our review in the Culture section to learn the reasons for said high acclaim) about, well, toilets. Advance tickets at the Tower box office and TowerTheatre.org. 7:30pm Friday and Saturday, 2pm Sunday. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St. 317-0700. $25, $20/seniors and students.

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Floater: Two Nights!

friday 9 & saturday 10

When Floater comes to town, you can bet your favorite Floater T-shirt that the band is going to roll in like a Twix bar with not one, but two shows. As is the style of Oregon's favorite art/metal/funk/alt-rock band, they'll be playing a full-blown electric rock show on Friday and then scale it down for an acoustic rendition on Saturday. All ages. 8pm both nights. $14. Friday: Midtown Music Hall, Saturday: Domino Room. 51 NW Greenwood Ave.

Jack Inferno, Gunshot Whiskey, Makeshift

saturday 10

If there's one thing we can say about Players, it's that they know how to keep the rock real and authentic. This weekend, the venerable Westside venue serves up rock from all over the region, including Salem's Jack Inferno, Portland's Gunshot Whiskey and our very own Makeshift. 9:30pm. No cover. Players Bar & Grill, 25 SW Century Drive, 389-2558.

The T-Club

saturday 10

It just wouldn't be a Picks page if we didn't suggest you head to the Summit for a reggae band from the other side of the mountains. This week's selected act is the jammy reggae-rock (a la Sublime) of Eugene's T-Club. Hopefully the "T" stands for terrific. Hit up myspace.com/thetclub and judge for yourself. 9:30pm. $5. Summit Saloon and Stage. 125 NW Oregon Ave., 749-2440.

Collie Buddz

monday 12

A white guy who makes dancehall reggae? We just can't help ourselves, we have to do it...we must make a joke about the Canadian reggae-rapper Snow. Remember him? "A licky boom boom down..." But in all seriousness, Buddz actually does have some chops. Check out this Bermudian artist in this week's On Stage box. All ages. Domino Room, 51 NW Greenwood Ave.